Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms, with billions of users worldwide. While many find it useful for connecting with friends and family, others feel they spend too much time on the platform and want to take a break. Luckily, iOS devices offer a simple way to temporarily deactivate your Facebook account from your iPhone or iPad.
Why Would You Want to Temporarily Deactivate Facebook?
There are a few common reasons people may want to take a break from Facebook:
- Avoid distractions – Facebook can be very distracting and make it hard to focus on work or study.
- Gain more time – Deactivating Facebook frees up time that was previously spent endlessly scrolling.
- Detox from social media – Taking a break can help reset your relationship with social media.
- Mental health break – Facebook can negatively impact mental health for some people, so a break may be beneficial.
- Break social media addiction – Some find they have developed an unhealthy addiction to checking Facebook.
Temporarily deactivating your account allows you take a break while knowing your profile and data will be waiting when you return. Your friends will not be notified when you deactivate.
How to Temporarily Deactivate Facebook on iPhone/iPad
Deactivating your Facebook account on an iPhone or iPad takes just a few simple steps:
- Open the Facebook app on your iOS device.
- Tap the three line “hamburger” menu icon in the bottom right corner.
- Scroll down and select “Settings & Privacy”.
- Tap “Settings”.
- Select “Account ownership and control”.
- Tap “Deactivate account” and confirm by tapping “Continue to account deactivation”.
- Select a reason for deactivating and tap “Continue” to confirm.
And that’s it! Your Facebook account will now be deactivated. This is a temporary measure, so if you simply log back in with your email and password, your account will be reactivated.
How Long Does Deactivating Last?
When you temporarily deactivate your Facebook account, it will remain deactivated until you log back in. There is no set time limit – you can reactivate whenever you want by simply logging in.
However, be aware that if your account remains deactivated for 14 days, Facebook will automatically delete it permanently. So make sure to log back in within 2 weeks if you want to keep your account.
What Happens When Your Facebook Account is Deactivated?
Here’s an overview of what happens when you temporarily deactivate your Facebook account:
- Your profile, photos, posts, videos, and data are hidden but not deleted.
- No one will be able to search for or view your Facebook profile.
- You won’t show up in your friends’ friend lists.
- You won’t be able to use Facebook to log in to other apps or websites.
- Your Facebook messages are deactivated but can still be reactivated later.
- Your Facebook events will remain visible to others.
- Facebook may keep some data for security purposes but can’t use it for advertising.
So in summary, deactivating makes your account inaccessible to others without deleting your information. Everything will return to normal when you reactivate by logging back in.
Tips for Staying Off Facebook
Here are some tips to help make your Facebook break more successful:
- Remove the apps – Delete the Facebook and Messenger apps from your iOS device to avoid temptation.
- Log out of Instagram – Since Instagram is owned by Facebook, log out for a full social media detox.
- Find replacements – Fill your new free time with offline activities or other healthier apps.
- Tell friends – Let close connections know you’ll be off Facebook for a while so they know you are not ignoring them.
- Note the end date – Pick a date to reactivate your account and stick to it.
- Change your password – When ready to return, change your password as an extra step before getting back on.
Pros of Deactivating Facebook
Deactivating your account offers various benefits, including:
- More free time and less distraction.
- Increased productivity and focus.
- Reduced anxiety from not compulsively checking updates.
- Avoiding unwanted political or social debates.
- Less exposure to misleading news and information.
- Improved real world relationships with less reliance on virtual connections.
Cons of Deactivating Facebook
Some potential drawbacks to keep in mind include:
- Missing out on events, news, and updates from friends.
- Losing touch with certain connections and networks.
- Having fewer photos and memories saved if you delete your account.
- Missing out on birthday reminders or notifications.
- Decreased access to groups and communities you are a part of.
- Less ability to get in touch with people who you only knew via Facebook.
Should You Permanently Delete Facebook?
While a temporary break can be refreshing, some may decide they want to permanently delete their Facebook account after being off the platform. Here are some factors to consider:
- Do you have important contacts only on Facebook? You won’t be able to reach them.
- Are you comfortable losing your photos and posts forever?
- Will you be disconnected from certain groups and networks?
- Do you still find value in Facebook for certain connections?
- Do you have other accounts linked to your Facebook?
Permanently deleting Facebook is a bigger commitment than a temporary deactivation. Make sure you back up any key information and are prepared to lose access before deleting your account for good.
Other Facebook Account Options
In addition to deactivating and deleting your account, Facebook offers other options including:
- Deactivate notifications – Mute notifications for a distraction-free experience.
- Adjust privacy settings – Limit who can see your posts and profile information.
- Unlike pages – Remove pages from your feed that no longer interest you.
- Unfollow friends – Stay connected without constant updates.
- Limit time on Facebook – Set reminders to avoid excess scrolling.
Tweaking settings like these can help refresh your Facebook experience without fully deactivating your account.
Conclusion
Temporarily deactivating your Facebook account is an easy process on iOS devices and gives you the freedom to take a break from the platform while still saving your data. Avoid getting sucked back in by deleting apps and filling newfound time with healthier activities.
While deactivation is temporary, permanently deleting your account is an option if you determine Facebook no longer provides value for you. Before doing so, make sure to download your data and back up anything important.
Taking time away from Facebook can help reset your relationship with social media and give you more balance and focus in life. And iOS devices make it simple to deactivate whenever you need a digital detox.